Electric switch.



C. I. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13. I914.

1,158,060. I Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

CHARLES J. KLEIN", OF MILWAUKEE,

MFG. CO., OF MILWAUKEE,

WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 13, 1914. Serial No. 818,452.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in ElectricSwitches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming apart of this specification.

This invention relates to electric switches.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved snapswitch of sturdy construction which comprises few parts cheaplymanufactured and easily assembled.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

In order to more clearly disclose my invention I have illustrated in theaccompanying drawing two of the various possible embodiments thereof.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side view,

partially in section, of a switch mechanism; Fig. 2 is a sectional viewof the same-incorporated in a surface switchdevice. Fig. 3 is a planview of'the device shown in Fig. 2 with the cover plate removed; Fig. 4is a sectional view on the line -l4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side view,partially in section, of a modified form of switch mechanism; Fig. 6 isa sectional view of the same incorporated in a candelabra switch device;and, Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 6, showing, inaddition, a lamp support carried by the switch base. The switchmechanism illustrated com prises, in general, an operating member 1, acontact member 2 pivoted thereto, and energy storing means 3 associatedwith the contact and arranged to move the same with a snap-action aftera predetermined movement of the operating member.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a reciprocatingoperating member 1 having push-button extremities 4 and bracket arms 5intermediate its ends with open bearings 6. The contact member 2 issubstantially inverted U-shaped and provided at the ends ofits parallelblades with studs 7 which are journaled in the bracket bearings 6. Theoperating member '1 is mounted to reciprocate through, and to be limitedin its movementby, a stationary frame 8. The energy storing means forthe switch comprises a coil spring 3 longitudinally disposed between thecontact blades and having its upper end attached to the contact, springextends downwardly through a longitudinal slot 10 in the operating plate1 and is attached to the frame 8 through an opening 11 in the latter.The spring 3 is under a slight constant tension and acts to retain thecontact member in pivotal connection with the operating member and tonormally bias both members to extreme postions. The limit of oscillationof the contact member is established by any suitable means, such asextensions 12 of the station ary frame 2 (Fig. l) or walls 13 of theswitch base (Fig. 6). Reciprocation of the operating member in eitherdirection shifts the pivotal axis of the contact 2 and tensions thespring 3 until the axis of the contact crosses the dead center of thesprin tension, whereupon the contact is oscillated to reverse positionwith a snap movement.

Referring to Figs. '2, 3 and 4, the switch mechanism is shown as mountedupon a rectangular insulating base 14 having suitable recesses in itsupper face to receive the stationary frame 8 and having openings inopposite walls to receive the push-buttons 4. A pair of resilientstationary contacts 15 are secured'to the base at one end of the same bymeans of screws 16 and are ro- THE CUTLER-HAMMER Patented Oct. 26,1915.I

as at 9. The other end of the vided with resilient contact surfaces 1 atone end to be bridged by the free extremity of the contact member 2 inone extreme position. At the opposite ends of the contacts 15 arebinding posts 18 for connection to line wires through adjacent apertures19 in the switch base. 20, having an insulating lining 21, rests uponthe switch base and completes theinclosure of the switch mechanism.

Assuming the switch to be in the off position, shown in Fig. 2, pressureon the right push-button 4 effects the following operation: Theoperating member 1 is moved to the left and carries the pivotal axis ofthe contact member 2 therewith. As the upper end of the latter bearsagainst the extension 12 of the frame, the contact tends to assume aperpendicular with respect to the operating member and accordingly thefree extremity of the contact is raised. The spring 3 is accordinglystretched until the A suitable metallic cover pivotal am's of thecontact moves across thee plane of the spring tension, whereupon the.action of the spring is reversed and the con-- tact is oscillated to theright with a snap movement and closes circuit between the sta tionarycontacts 15. It is'to be observed that the contact 2 is not oscillateduntil the movement of the operating member is practically completed sothat the full energy of the spring 3-is thus expended in throwmg thecontact member. Furthermore, by pivotally connecting the contact and oeratmg members, as described, a relative y short movement of the lattereffects a relatively longbreak at the points of contact, since theinclination of the contact member at extreme positions may be relativelygreat. Fi 5 shows a modified embodiment of the switch mechanism whereina spindle 22 and compression spring 23 are substituted for the expansionspring 3 of the form above described. In this form, the spindle 22 isswiveled at its upper end 24 to the free end of the contact and extendsdownwardly through slot 10 in the operating member and a coincidentopening 25 in the frame 8. On the lower projecting end of the spindle 22is v a loose washer 26 pressed against the lower surface of the frame bythe coil spring 23, which, in turn, is retained on the-spindle by afixed washer 27 Figs. -6 and 7 illustrate the modified form of switchmechanism as applied to a candelabra switch device comprlsing a dividedcylindrical base 28 having a central chamber 29 housing the switchmechanism. Stationary contacts 30 are secured to opposite side walls ofthe chamber'29 and provided with extensions 31 terminatin above theinsulating base and carrying binding screws 32. A spindle 33 issupported by the base and carries a lamp support 34 at its upperextremity. The operation of the switch mechreciprocable operating memberhaving an open bearing, an oscillating contact member having a portionjournaled in said bearing,

anism remams similar to the operation of the form shown in Fig. 1. Inthis instance, however, movement of the operating member tensions thespring 33 by compression instead of .expansion. Furthermore, theoscillation contact member 2is limited'by the end walls 13of the chamber29.

In both of the embodiments shown movement of the operating memberpositively moves the bridging extremity of the contact member 2 riortosnap actuation of the latter under e influence of the spring. Duringeach complete actuation of the switch, therefor, a wiping engagement intwo directions is obtained between the movable and stationary contacts.Furthermore, when the contact 2 is thrown any arcing which might occurfalls on a portion of the same removed from that portion thereof whichnormall bridges the stationary con tacts. It should also be noted thatthe relation of the switch parts is such that manufacturin'g variationin the structural dimensions thereof is not objectionable to theoperation of the parts when assembled.

While the switch mechanisms described have been shown as applied tocertain forms of switch devices,-it is to be understood that suchillustrations have been chosen as exemplary and that the switchmechanism is well adapted for use in other forms of switch deviceswherein a compact and efli cient snap switch is required. Moreover, itis to be noted that the elements of the switch mechanism hereindesignated as operating member and contact member are in certain aspectsinterchangeable in function without altering the coaction of the parts.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, in combination, a support, a reciprocatingoperating member movable across the same and having an open bearing anda longitudinal slot adjacent sald bearing, an oscillating contact memberhaving a pivotal portion at one end journaled in said bearing, andresilient means,

. including a coil spring, extending throughsaid slot and connecting thefree end of said contact member to said support for maintaining saidcontact member in pivotal connection with said operating member and forimparting a snap movement to the former upon reciprocation of thelatter.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a rectilinearly movableoperating member, an oscillatory contact member having its pivotalbearing on said operating member, said operating member-upon movementthereby shifting said bearing and moving said contact member bodily, andresilient means associated with said contact member to oscillate thesame with a snap action after a predeterminedbodily movement thereof.

3'. "In an electric switch, in combination, a

and resilient means acting on said contact tion with said operatingmember and to impart a snap moveme to said contact member uponreciprocation of said operating member. 1

4. In an electric switch, in combination, a reciprocating operatingmember, an oscillating contact member pivotally connected thereto andbodily movable thereby, and resilient means associated with said membersto bias the same to extreme positions and to impart a snap movement tosaid contact member after a predetermined initial movement of saidoperating member.

5. In an electric switch, in combination, a reciprocatory. operatingmember, an oscillatory contact member having its supporting-and pivotalbearing on said operating member to move therewith, said contact memberthereby being bodily movable, and resilient means acting directly onsaid contact member to oscillate the same with a snap action and actingthrough said contact member to bias said operating member to an extremeposition.

6. In an electric switch, in combination, a stationary, supportingmember, a reciprocating operating member movable across the same, anoscillating contact member pivotally mounted on said operating member,and an energy storing connection, including a spring, between saidstationary member and said contact member and extending on oppositesides of the pivotal axis of the latter and within the range ofreciprocation of said axis.

7. In an electric switch, in combination, a reciprocable member, anoscillating member, one of said members being a contact member and theother an operating member, said oscillating member being pivotallymounted on and bodily movable by said reciprocable member, and means tobias said oscillating member obliquely to said reciprocable member andto impart a snap movement to said contact member after a predeterminedinitial movement of said operating member.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, a reciprocating member, anoscillating member, one of said members being a contact member and theother an operating member, said oscillating member having its axis onand movable with said reciprocating member, energy storing meansextending across the axis of said oscillating member to normally biasthe same obliquely to said reciprocable member and to impart a snapmovement to said contact member after a predetermined initial movementof said operating member.

9.. In an electric switch, in combination, a

' reciprocating operating member, an oscillating contact memberpivotally mounted thereon, resilient means to bias said contact mem-'ber obliquely to said operating member and axis of said contact memberto normally bias the same obliquely to said operating member and tooscillate the same with a snap movement upon reciprocation of thepivotal axis thereof across the plane of force of said energy storingmeans.

11. In an electric switch, in combination, a reciprocating operatingmember, an oscillating contact member pivotally supported thereon andbodily movable thereby, energy storing means associated with saidmembers exerting force in a plane within the range of reciprocation ofthe pivotal axis of said contact member to normally bias the sameobliquely to said operating member and to oscillate the same with a snapmovement upon reciprocation of the pivotal axis thereof across the planeof force of said energy storing means, and means to limit thereciprocation of said operating member at substantially the moment theaxis of said contact member crosses the plane of force of said energystoring means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnesses.

' CHARLES J. KLEIN.

Witnesses: F. A. HUBBARD, L. F. WATSON.

